1. Clear Subject-Verb Agreement: Make sure the subject of your sentence agrees with the verb in number and person. This ensures the sentence is grammatically correct and easy to follow.
2. Logical Connections: Use connecting words (conjunctions, prepositions, adverbs) to show the relationship between sentences. Examples:
* Addition: and, also, furthermore, moreover
* Contrast: but, however, on the other hand, nevertheless
* Cause and effect: because, since, therefore, consequently
* Time: when, while, after, before
3. Consistent Pronoun Reference: When using pronouns (he, she, it, they, etc.), make sure they clearly refer to a noun mentioned earlier in the sentence or in a previous sentence. Avoid ambiguity.
4. Parallel Structure: Use parallel structure when listing items or presenting ideas in a similar way. This creates a sense of balance and clarity.
5. Avoid Redundancy: Don't repeat the same information multiple times in different words. Keep your writing concise and to the point.
6. Consider the Order of Ideas: Present information in a logical sequence that makes sense to the reader. This could be chronological, cause-and-effect, or problem-solution.
7. Read Aloud: Reading your writing aloud helps you catch any awkward phrasing or sentences that don't flow well.
8. Get Feedback: Ask someone else to read your writing and provide feedback on its coherence.
Examples:
Incoherent:
* The cat sat on the mat. The mat was green. The cat was fluffy.
Coherent:
* The fluffy cat sat on the green mat.
Incoherent:
* I went to the store. I bought milk. I went to the park. I played frisbee.
Coherent:
* After buying milk at the store, I went to the park and played frisbee.
Remember, achieving sentence coherence is an ongoing process. Practice, read widely, and seek feedback to continually improve your writing skills.